Transitioning Statistical Consultation Training Away from the Classroom

• Activity Number: 127 - Communication and Technical Skills in Statistical Consulting and Collaboration
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, July 30, 2018 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Consulting
• Author(s): Viviana Rodriguez* and Adam Sima and Brian S Di Pace
• Companies: Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Commonwealth University
• Keywords: Consulting; Statistical education; Experiential learning; Graduate student

Abstract

In September 2016, the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Department of Biostatistics rebranded its informal, word-of-mouth biostatistical consulting service into a student-led consulting service. The Biostatistical Consulting Laboratory (BCL) provides VCU researchers access to biostastistical expertise while granting graduate students an opportunity to be engaged in scholarly collaborations. Under the supervision of senior graduate students and faculty members, the students involved in the BCL meet with investigators to discuss their research projects, provide assistance with experimental design and/or statistical analyses, and help to facilitate the dissemination of the results. This experiential learning paradigm gives students experience leading consulting discussions, utilizing methodologic tools, and engaging in scientific writing and oral presentation skills. In this talk, we will discuss our structure, achievements, and challenges that we have experienced throughout the approximately 75 requests received during our first 1.5 years, as well as feedback from both clients and consultants.